Coccyx cushions and supports

Cushions with a cut-out

Most people find this type is the most comfortable, either sloping (see image 1) or flat. If you are putting it on a very soft seat, put a rigid board under the cut-out cushion. Keep cushions at home, at work, in the car, etc. You never know when you may need one. Here are the results of a Google search for coccyx cushions.

You can make a flat coccyx cushion by cutting some foam rubber, 50 mm (2 inches) or thicker, and covering with stretchy material. Some people prefer a soft foam, and some prefer a very firm foam. Here is how Sally Cowell made a cushion for herself.

(2) is a two-part cushion, recommended by Bernadette. Sally writes: A GelTec cushion (3) is great for my needs - because of fybromyalgia I'm pressure sensitive. Therese found the Inspiri cushion (4) discreet, comfortable, and supportive. It doesn't have a full cut out, but just enough for her.

Linda writes: The Medport cushion (5) is the most comfortable when I just HAVE to drive. Being air-filled, it allows my body to "rock" rather than sliding from side to side around curves. CE Forman recommends (6) from Nancy's Notions.

The last two images (8) are of the customizable Marvel Cushion and its cover, described by Sharon. A cushion made of resilient closed cell urethane is encased in a washable vinyl cover designed to look like a valise or flexible briefcase, masking the embarrassing appearance of the cushion. This is a firm cushion, which suits some sufferers, but not all.

Ring, donut, or doughnut, cushions

These are the cushions that doctors traditionally recommend, but they are designed to relieve pressure on the genitals, not on the coccyx. Almost all patients prefer a cushion with a coccyx cut-out.

Backjoy support

PD found that the Backjoy support worked better for him than cushions and other devices.

Enhancer

Kabooti comfort ring

Two garden kneeling pads

Mat says that after trying several solutions, he found that using two deluxe kneeling pads was the best. Use them side by side, with a gap for the coccyx.

Breast feeding cushions/ nursing pillows

Marie writes: Just wanted to let you and anyone else know that a breast feeding pillow also works great for sitting on. I injured my tailbone delivering my twins two and a half years ago, one day I just happened to be sitting on the pillow and realized that I was actually comfortable. This is an easy solution for new mothers who were injured this way.

Note - the design of breast feeding cushions varies a lot.

Matt writes: I'd also like to recommend the Boppy (nursing) pillow, I found it dramatically superior to any of the more "official" wedge cushions I tried. (The second picture is the Boppy pillow)

Pool noodles

Cheryl writes: Using inexpensive children's foam swimming noodles, fashion a U-shaped cushion which fits you, your chair, and your car seat. Use a serrated bread knife to cut the noodles, it works very well. If the simple U works for you, use duct tape to hold the U shape. Wrap the tape around one end a couple times, then bring it across the bottom, then wrap around the other end. Put a piece of tape on top of the sticky part which is holding the U ends together. Another option you might try instead of taping to hold the U shape together -- diagonally slice the ends of the noodle to make them wedge-shaped. Then slide these wedged ends into the back of your car seat or office chair. This held very well in my car.

Heather tried this, and found that a noodle seat was the best solution for comfortable sitting.

The images show two different versions of the seat, made by different people.

Stuffed sock

Justin writes: I stumbled across your site while trying to find a solution to my snowboarding hurt. All good ideas on your site but what do I do to survive is drive to the store to grab the proper supplies... For this I am self proclaiming myself a genius. I took a sock and stuffed it with pairs of socks shaped in the U shape and bam I'm in the car driving pain free.. This was huge since I don't have a wife or girlfriend to send out for my bum supplies. ;)

Jim writes: I took a standard over-the-calf white sock filled, it with white rice and shaped it into a U shape and viola….. pain relieved. It can also be used as a heating pad by heating the rice in the microwave. I have NOT done it but putting it in the freezer MIGHT be an option also.

Custom-Air cushion

This inflatable cushion is in separate sections. It is possible to have some of the sections at lower air pressure than others. It was originally designed to relieve pressure sores, but it looks as if it should allow you to sit comfortably without pressure on the coccyx. There are more detsails at http://www.aquilacorp.com/

Inflatable ring

Sally Cowell writes: The usual keyhole or doughnut cushion does not work for me. I can only manage to sit on the femur area. I have a blow up doughnut cushion with very little air in it. I folded this in half, not exactly in half, so the front edges are not on top of each other. I placed this in a cover made to fit, to restrict it from unfolding. I take this everywhere I go, and place it on the front of chairs and the car seat, to balance on. It is small and not conspicuous. At home I use a 4 inch soft foam for added comfort on top of the air cushion.

Neck cushion

Anonymous writes: For sitting in public areas (work, social events,...) and as well as for transportation in cars, planes, trains I got one of those U-shaped neck cushions designed for airplane-travellers. They are much better than donuts as they are open in the back so they don't press on your muscles, and you can bend them and position them as you like.

I have tried inflatable neck cushions, ones with synthetic filling, and memory foam ones. These were all either too soft or unstable. The ones filled with buckwheat hulls worked best for me. I use those made by Bucky, produced in Seattle.

Linda writes that the inflatable type, very lightly inflated, did the trick for her.

Toilet seat

Judy writes: Now I've just had a 'brilliant'? idea - I bought a wooden toilet seat set and removed the lid. Then I covered the wooden 'circle' with a fabric covering and presto - I have the perfect 'cushion' - it works for me anyway. I really don't care what people think - to sit without pain is heaven.

Bill adds: She may find it even more comfortable if she used a padded toilet seat. My wife and I are from Australia, and have put them in at every house we've lived in. They are so different, warm in winter, cool in summer, and comfortable.

Relaxo-Bak

llcasey writes: I use a "seat" called Relaxo-Bak. This seat is a God-send!!! I also use the "Tush-Cush" type, but this one is made of hard plastic (so you can put it on any cushioned chair, or anywhere) and has a concave area for the sacrum and tailbone to be "suspended" therefore putting less pressure where it hurts the most!

They have a website showing what the seat looks like and how much, etc. It's www.relaxobak.com. It may not be possible to buy from this site if you are not in the USA. For Europe you could use www.backtowork.co.uk/relaxobak or search among your own country's websites.

Heather tried this, and found that it was very helpful, especially for putting on top of soft seats or on the floor.

I have tried the donut pillows but this is the best. When I drive a long way I take an ice pack and this seat to sit on and I'm go to go.

Roof-rack cushion

Carlos Moraes writes: I found something that has made my driving much more comfortable, at least for mid distances. Go to the nearest windsurfing (watersports) store and buy a thick cylindrical pad used to protect boards when those go on the rack on top of the car. These pads usually go around the metal racks and are quite thick (the thicker the better) and approximately one meter long. They cost about $10, and you would need only one.

Once you are in the driver's seat, slide the padded cylinder across the seat under your butt. In the beginning I would put it more towards my legs, but even when you sit on it, the coccyx stays without any pressure.

Ice packs

Grace writes: I have found now, after several years, that one thing that really reduces pain is ice packs. If you have large muscle pain in the low back, hips and thighs in addition to the coccyx when sitting, this cushion/ice-pack method might help. These are the flat gel-filled kind of various sizes that are kept in the freezer.

In the car I lay a few of these down where my bottom will be on top of the cushion, and I can drive comfortably (no pain really) for a half an hour. I finish shopping, come out and get 3 more and do the same thing on the ride home.

Andy Kirk adds: The ice packs I use are produced by Camping Gaz, and are flexible. They cost about £1.50 currently. One pack under each cheek, wrapped in a towel, will take about an hour to defrost. It can be uncomfortable to sit on initially, while it is frozen solid, but as it melts, it moulds to your shape. The numbness helps to deal with the pain. I put the packs on top of the coccyx cushion that I use. Do make sure you use a towel or something similar, as after repeated use, the packs can start to leak.

In order to extend the range or distance that can be covered whilst driving, I have recently bought a 12v cool-box which I can plug into the socket in the car, and keep some spare ice-packs chilled. I can then change over once the initial ones have de-frosted.

Subskate

Suzanne writes: We were in Target the other night and my husband picked up a Subskate. It works perfectly in the car, on chairs, etc. It takes all the pressure off my tailbone. You can get it in Target in the toy section where the swimming stuff is. As you can see the Subskate is long, but my husband used a sharp knife and cut off a section from one end and now it fits in the car and I carry it with me wherever we go. Cost is $14.99.

Pile of newspapers

Juan writes: Finally the best solution for me has been putting 4 or 5 newspapers on the chair and sitting in a way that the coccyx is behind the newspapers so it does not touch them. (It is just a matter of trying, if you use less newspapers it can be more comfortable).

Seat that curves down at the back

Stefan writes: This is actually the back of a cheap IKEA chair. The fact that it "curves down" at the back relieves my tailbone. No pressure on it! I will also add some padding and simple upholstery to make it more comfortable and presentable (not unimportant).